‘The cast of characters in Bruce Gilden’s theatre of the street is outrageous. Sometimes tawdry and out of this world, they are mostly mysterious. To Gilden and his fellow New Yorkers, they’re just neighbours. In broad and simple terms, and with great expressive authority, Gilden has captured the uniquely individualistic, self-styled New York personality on the run. In Gilden’s world, no-one is on the margins of centre stage, they are all star players.” – Susan Kismaric
Bruce Gilden has always had a fascination with what he calls ‘characters’. So, for Bruce, New York, with its famously idiosyncratic citizenry and the unique energy of its streets, proved to be a giant creative playground. Facing New York, which was his first major photo book, saw Bruce and his camera at their highest level of intensity, capturing New Yorkers in moments of utter spontaneity yet still exposing the humanity that lay behind their hardened exteriors.
Originally published in 1992 and long out of print Facing New York has become a recognised photobook classic. For this new edition Bruce has replaced two images, of which he says that he just can’t understand why they didn’t make his original selection.
Gilden, has exhibited widely around the world, and received numerous awards. What truly sets him apart from other photographers is his ability to see and capture the essence of a character, a place or a moment. Bruce Gilden joined Magnum Photos in 1998. He now lives in New York State.
Bruce Gilden : Facing New York
Dewi Lewis Publishing
£30.00 hardback
92 pages, 44 duotone photos,
337mm x 245mm
ISBN: 978-1-911306-47-4
